Wire-strapping tool



W. N. LURCOTT WIRE S'L'RAFPING TOOL Feb. s, 192?.

Filed Avril 2 sheets-sheet 1 l l l )L NN ATTORNY Fab. 8, 1927.

w.. N. LURCOTT WIRE s'l-RAPPING frooL Filed Avril 7, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 f Y. w

INVENTOR W /l/. 0566077.

Patented Feb. s, 1927.

UNETED S'A'EES reiten FATEN'E OFFEQ.

WINFRED N. LURCOTT, 0F WEEHAWKEN, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO. GRIPLOCK, INC., 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

VIRE-STRAPPING TOOL.

Application filed April 7,

The present invention relates particularly to strapping and reinforcing boXes, crates, or similar articles when using therefor wire straps providing seals such as illustrated in a patent of the United States No. 1,474,372 granted under date of November 20, 1923, for improvements in wire strap seals and methods of forming` the same, to which patent cross reference is here made.

Among the principal objects which the present invention has in view are to form the seal or tie when using wires of the character referred to in the above mentioned patent; to increase the speed in the operation of forming the seal; to automatically align the opposite ends of the wire strap; to facilitate the tensioning or stretching of the wire preliminary to forming the seal; and to adapt the tool for operating upon packages of various shapes.

Dwz/wings.

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a tool of the character mentioned, constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 -is a side view thereof.

Figure 3 is a cross section thereof, the section being taken on the line 3-3 in Fig. 2.

Figure 4 is a side view of the tool, the reverse of that shown in Figure 2 of the drawings.

Figure 5 is a sectional plan view, the section being taken on the line 5-5 in Fig. 4.

Figure 6 is a longitudinal section, the section being taken on the line 6-6 in Fig. 1.

Description.

As disclosed in the patent above referred to, the ends of the wire strap in service are joined by manually inserting the free end A of the wire through the open heliX or coil B at the opposite end of the wire. Vhile in this position and before the wire is r tightened on the carton or package, the wire and coil arc disposed under the hammer 15 and upon the anvil table 16. When thus introducing' the wire and coil between the hammer and anvil table, the wire and the tool are moved toward cach other, the side of the tool being addressed to the wire. In this operation the rear end of the tool is slightly raised so that the gripping jaw 17 1924. Serial No. 704,754.

is lifted over the wire. The jaw 17 operates in conjunction with a serrated bed 18, which in conjunction with the said jaw 17 holds the coil-supplied end of the Wire while tension is being applied to the body of the wire to draw the same tight on the package.

A lifting apron 19 is automatically car ried over the free end of the wire, the lifting being accomplished by the inclined sun face 2O on the said apron, which striking against the wire A as the tool is moved sidewise toward the same, rides thereover to fall outside of the said wire as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. In this position the apron rests on a pin 21 which regulates the position of the apron which thereafter serves to hold the free end A of the wire in line with the cutter 22 which is best seen in Figures 3 and 6 of the drawings.

The free end A of the wire is manually placed in the hook 23, being lifted to the position shown best in Fig. 2 of the drawings. lVhen now the ripping arm 24 carrying the gripping jaw 17 is retracted, the hook 23 is drawn beneath and in line with the staggered pintles 25 of the tensioning winch 26. In this position of the gripping arm 24 and hook 23, it will be found the upstanding The upper section of the wire A where it extends beyond the pintles is brought in contact with the deflector 27, the contacting surface whereof is obtusely inclined.

When in the course of the rotation of the winch 26, the wire A is brought in contact with the inclined surface of the deflector 27, the wire is bent back over the pintle 25, pressing thereon from the rear thereof so that the wire is held or oers a snubbing resistance to the wire pulling out of contact therewith. At the opposite side of the winch, the pintle 25 in contact with the wire A at this point, bends the same at a sharp angle therearound to offer also a snubbng resistance to pulling the wire out of contact with the pintles 25 and the winch 26.

The arm 24 is normally held in its advanced position, in which the jaw 17 does aio not grip the wire by the coil spring 28 which is coiled about and operatively engages the link arm 29.

The arm 29 is pivoted by the pin 30 on the body of the tool and is pivotally connected by means of a second pin 31 with the arm 24.

From theA foregoing it will be seen that after the coil B has been placed between the hammer and anvil table and the free end of the wire A has been passed through the said coil and placed in engagement with the hoolt 23, the upstanding portion is drawn bet-Ween the pintles 25 automatically as a result of the retraction of the arm 24, and the end of the wire bearing the coil B, and adjacent thereto, is gripped tightly between the jaw 17 and bed 18, the serrated teeth on both the jaw and bed fastening upon the side of the wire.

The function of the said liaw 17 and bed is to hold immovable the coil B, while 'the wire A is being drawn therethrough to 'place a tension on the strap which has been passed around the carton.

To this end, the tensioning lever 32 is rocked backward from the inactive position shown in Figures 1 and 2. said lever pivot-- ing on the shaft 33, best shown in Figure 6 of the drawings.

rlhe lever 32 carries a pawl 34 which retraetively over-rides to forwardly engage the ratchet teeth provided on the edge of the winch 26. A retaining pawl 35 engages the same teeth to prevent the re-action of the winch when released by the pawl 34 in successive retractive movements of. said pawl and the lever 32 on which the same is mounted. The direct result of this is that the tension imparted to the wire A by reason of the winding of the same on the winch 26, is maintained.

During the above described operation, the jaw 17 is drawn rigidly and firmly upon the wire to clamp the same tightly between the said jaw 17 and bed 18. This condition is insured by the tooth 36 engaging the trigger block 37 on which the trigger 38 is carried. See Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings, when the lever 32 has been fully retracted, the tooth 36 has moved the block 37 and the trigger 38 forward to a position where the end of the latter rests upon the flattened portion or rest at the end of the arin 29. In this position the frict-ional engagemei'it of the ends of the arm 29 and the trigger 38 hold the said arm in retracted position, the inclined surfaces of the trigger and the end of the arm engaged thereby, cooperating to exert a. final pressure of the jaw 17 and bed 18 on the wire interposed therebetween.

In the operation of the tool and dependent upon the length of the wire A, or the size of the box being strapped, the lever 32 is swung to its forward position to wind up the winch 36 with the wire A, engaged thereb v and held thereon.

1n the subsequent operation of the lever 32, the block 37 is undisturbed, the trigger 38 is held by a flattened portion of the end of the arm 29 in the set position, and the wire is held firmly between the jaw 17 and bed 18. This continues until the trigger 38 is moved from engagement with the arm 29, whereupon the spring 28 swings the arm 29 ant projects the arm 24 with the j aw 17 outward, disengaging the wire previously held. The removal of the bloclr 37 and trigger 38 is effected by the lug 4() which is inset from the gear-toothed end 41 of the crushing lever 42.

As shown best in Figure 4 of the draw-.

ings, there are two crushing levers indicated by the numerals 42 and 43. These levers are operatively connected by the teeth of the gear-toothed ends 4l and 44, respectively. The said levers are each iixedly mounted on short shafts 45.

rhe shafts 45 are identical in structure. each having intermediate the bearing` ends thereof, eccentric reduced portions 46. See Figure 6 of the drawings.

The reduced portions 46 form short throw counters which engage heavy thrust bars 47. The ends of each of the thrust bars 37 are hollowed or curved to form saddles for the reduced portions 46 at the upper ends of Said thrust bars and free rolling seated bars 48.

The seated bars 48 are mounted in circular grooves formed in the movable hammer 15. The hammer l5, bars 48, and the thrust bars 47 are slidably mounted in, and guided b v the cover plate 49 which is securely fastened to the body 50 of the tool, the screws 51 being partially relied on for this purpose.

As the strain necessary to crush the coil B and corrugate the two strands of the wire A held therein, is excessive, it has been found expedient to provide the long bearing 52, best seen in Figure 3 of the drawings, as well as the bearings formed in the cover 49.

To lubricate the reduced` portions 46, a pad 53 is furnished to absorb oil introduced thereon through the oil openings 54. This structure is also seen best. in Figure 3. Other oil openings 54 are provided for lubricating the other portions of the shafts 45, can be seen best in Figure l of the drawings,

Th levers 42 and 43 as well as the lever 32. are provided with handles 55 of any suitable and convenient shape.

During the operation of the lever 32 for tensioning the wire A, on the box or package to talte the slaclt out of the wire and tighten the same around the box, the levers and 43 are inactively disposed as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. Then the tensioning has been accomplished, the

lever 32 is placed in the position shown in Figure 2, where it rests upon the body of the tool. The handles of the levers 42 and 43 are then grasped by the operator and moved simultaneously, iirst to the upright position, which `results in rocking the reduced portions 46 sutliciently to close the anvil 15iirmly upon the coil B. An approach to this position is shown in Figure 6 of the drawings where the levers 42 and 43 have been partially raised.

The continued movement of the levers 42 and 43 to the extreme position, rocks the shafts 45 and reduced portions 46 to fuliy close the anvil 15 upon the coil B and wire A contained therein to fully crush the said coils on the hardened plates 56 on the tables 16. rlhis completes the sealing or fastening of the wire on the package. During this movement, the trigger' 38 has been moved to release the arms 29 and 24, which have been carried by the spring 28 to open the jaw 17 to release the wire held thereby.

The release of the trigger 38 above referred to is the result of the engagement of the lug 40 with the arm 57. The arm 57 is upset from a bridge 58 which is fixedly connected with a guide rod '59 upon the end of which is rigidly mounted, the block 37.

As seen best in higure 5 of the drawings, the rod 59 has slidable bearings in the structural webs of the body 50. The arm 57 is so disposed that the lug` 40 engages it just prior to the lever 42 reaching t-he full throw thereof. Sufficient movement is imparted to the arm 57, rod 59 and block 37 to remove the trigger 38 from engagement with the arm 2S). In the meantime, the coil B, has been engaged by the hammer 15 and has veen partially crushed thereby. It is obvious that the release of the wire A by the jaw 17 at this stage of the operation, would not release the reinforcing wire from the tension previously imparted by the operation of the lever 32.

As the anvil 15 descends, the cutter 22 is brought down with it. The cutter 22 has a reduced cutting end, best seen in Figure 3 of the drawings which is disposed in the path of the free end of the wire A, that was threaded through the coil B.

The cutter 22 is extended beyond the surface of the hammer 15 so that in timed relation it severs the said wire A, after the hammer 15 has engaged the wire A, and prior to the full crush of the coil. The total severance of the wire is thereby insured, the end of the cutter 22 extending into the orifice 60 provided in the table 16.

It will be understood that various changes may be resorted to in the forni. construction and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit and -scope of my invention, and hence I do not intend to be limited'to the details herein shown and described except as they may be included in the claims.

Claims.

1. A tool for uniting the ends of Wire straps, each having at one end thereof an open helix, said helix providing an open passage therethrough for the opposite end of said strap, said tool comprising crushing means for flattening said helix; gripping means fo-r holding said-helix in position to be flattened; tensioning means for drawing said wire through said helix; and means for releasing said gripping means during the flattening of said helix.

2. A tool for uniting the ends of wire stravs, each having at one end thereof an open helix, said helix providing an open passage therethrough for the opposite end of said strap, said tool comprising mea-ns for iiattening said helix and said means embodying a reciprocating hammer, a plurality of operating levers having cam-shaped members for moving said hammer toward said helix; gripping means for holding said helix in position to be iiattened; tensioning means for drawing said strap through said helix; and means for releasing said gripping means during the flattening of said helix.

3. A tool for uniting the ends of wire straps, each having at one end thereof an open helix, said helix providing an open pas sageway therethrough for the opposite end of said strap, said tool comprising a reciprocating hammer, a table stationariiy disposed in the path of said hammer to operate in conjunction therewith; gripping means for holding said helix in position on faid table during the iiattening of said helix; tensioning means for drawing said strap through said helix; and means for releasing said gripping means during the iiattening of said helix.

4. A tool for uniting the ends of wire straps, each having at one end thereof an open helix, said helix providing an open passage therethrough for the opposite end of said strap, said tool comprising a ham-- mer, a table stationarily disposed in the path of said hammer to operate in conjunction therewith; grippng m-eans for holding said helix in position on said table .during the fiattening of said helix; means for latching said gripping means in closed position while said strap is being drawn through said helix; tensioning means for drawing said strap through said helix; and means for rel-eas'ng said latch during the flattening of said helix.

5. A tool for uniting the ends of wire stra-ps, each having at one end thereof an open helix and said helix providing an open passage therethrough for th-e opposite Iend of said strap, said tool comprising a hammer, a table stationarily disposed in the path of said hammer to operate in conjunction therewith; gripping means for holding said helix in position on said talole during the iiattening of said helix; means for latching said gripping means in closed position While said strap is being draivn through said helix; tensioning means for drawing said strap through said helix; and means for releasing said latch during the Hattening of said helix, said means embodying a locking member adapted to be moved in the path of said gripping member to prevent the relec se thereof, said locking member being moved into operative position by the means for drawing the strap through said helix.

6. A tool for uniting the ends of wire straps, each having at one end thereof an open helix, said helix providing an op-en passage therethrough for the opposite end of said strap, said tool comprising a hammer'. a table stationarily disposed in the path of said hammer to operate in conjunction there- With, gripping means for holding said helix in position on said talole during the flattening of .said helix, locking` means for holding said gripping' means in closed position While said strap is being drawn through said helix, tensioning means for drawing said strap through said helix, and releasing means for said locking means to operate during the flattening of said helix, said lockr ing means embodying a latch adapted to be moved into the path of said gripping means to prevent the opening thereof, a device included in said tensioning means for moving said latch into locking position, hammer operating means, and a device included in said hammer operating means adapted to move said latch out of locking position.

7. A tool for unit-ing the Iends of Wire straps, each having at one end thereof ar. open helix, said helix providing an op-en passage therethrough for the opposite end of said strap, said tool comprising gripping means for holding the helix end of the strap; tensioning means for drawing the free end of said strap through said helix, said tensioning' means embodying a handrocked lever; Wire engaging means mounted on said lever; and means associated With said gripping` means for delivering the free end of said strap to said engaging means.

8. A tool for uniting the ends of Wire straps, each having atone end ther-cof an open helix, said helix providing an open passage therethrough for the opposite end of said strap, said tool comprising gripping means for holding the helix end of the strap, tensioning),` means for drawing the free end of said strap through said helix, said tensioning means embodying a handroclred lever; Wire engaging means mount- 'ed on said lever; and means associated with said gripping means for delivering the free end of said strap to said engaging means; and a latch adapted to be interposed 1n the path of said gripping means for locking said gripping means in gripping position; and compressing means for flattening said helix after the strap has been tensioned, said compression means including a device for releasing said gripping means.

9. A tool for uniting the ends of Wire straps, each having at one end thereof an open helix, said helix providing an open passage therethrough for the opposite end of said strap, said tool comprising a reciprocating hammer, a crushing table, cooperating With said hammer for flattening said helix; a gripping mechanism for holding said helix in position to be crushed; and a tensioning mechanism for engaging' the free end of said strap to draiv the same through said helix, said tensioning mechanism including a device for operating said gripping mechanism to engage said strap prior to the tensioning mechanism drawing said strap.

10. A tool for uniting the ends of Wire straps, each having at one end thereof an open helix, said helix providing an open passage therethrough for the opposite end of said strap, said tool comprising a gripping mechanism for holding` said helix in position to loe crushed; a tensioning mechanism for engaging the free end of said strap to dravv the same through said helix, said tensioning mechanism including a device for operating said gripping mechanismv to engage said strap prior to the tensioning mechanism drawing said strap; and a crushing mechanism for flattening said helix, said crushing mechanism including a device to release said gripping mechanism prior to completing the flattening of said helix.

l1. A tool for uniting the ends of Wire straps, each having at one end thereof an open helix, said helix providing an open passage therethrough for the opposite end of said strap, said tool comprising a gripping mechanism for holding said helix in position to he crushed: a tensioning mechanism for engaging the free end of said strap to draw the same through said helix, said tensioning mechanism including a device for operating said griIming mechanism to engage said strap prior to the tensioning mechanism drawing said strap; a crushing mechanism for flattening said helix, said crushing mechanism including a device to release said gripping mechanism prior to completing the flattening of said helix; and resilient memhers for placing said gripping mechanism in its inactive position ivhen releaf'ed h v said crushing mechanism.

l2. A tool for uniting the ends of Wire straps, each having at one end thereof an isn open helix, said helix providing an open passage therethrough for the opposite end of said strap, said tool comprising a reciprocating hammer, a crushing table, cooper- Cil ating with said hammer for flattening said helix; a gripping mechanism for holding said helix in position to be crushed; a tensioning mechanism for engaging the free end of said strap to draw the same through said helix, said tensioning mechanism iucluding a device for operating said gripping mechanism to engage said strap prior to the tensioning mechanism drawing said strap, said tensioning mechanism embodying a rotary tensioning device having a plurality of forwardly inclined elements for holding said strap; and means associated with said gripping mechanism for placing said strap in engagement with said elements simultaneously with the engagement of said strapv by said gripping mechanism.

13. A tool for uniting the ends of wire straps each having at one end thereof an open helix, said helix providing an open passage therethrough for the opposite end of said strap, said tool comprising compressing means for flattening said helix; gripping means for holding said helix in position to be flattened; tensioning means for drawing said wire through said helix; means for releasing said gripping means during the flattening of said helix; and a cutter associated with said compression means for severing the portion of said strap between said compression means and said tensioning means.

14. A tool for uniting the ends of wire straps, each having` at one end thereof an open helix, said helix providing an open passage therethrough for the opposite end of said strap, said tool comprising compressing means for flattening said helix; gripping means for holding said helix in position to be flattened; tensioning means for drawing said wire through said helix; means for releasing said gripping means during the flattening of said helix; a cutter associated with the movable member of said compression means for severing the portion of said strap between said compression means and said tensioning device, said cutter embodying a sharpened member reciprocating in the path of the free end of said wire drawn through said helix, and a perforation in the other member of said compression means.

15. A. tool for uniting the ends of wire straps, each having at one end thereof an open helix, said helix providing an open passage therethrough for the opposite end of said strap, said tool comprising coinpressing means for flattening said helix; gripping means for holding said helix in position to be flattened; tensioning means for drawing said wire through said helix;

means for releasing said gripping means during the flattening of said helix; a cutter associated with said compression means and said tensioning device, said cutter embodying a sharpened member reciprocating in the path of the free end of said Wire drawn through said helix; and a perforation in the other member of said compression means; and a guide for the free end of said strap for holding the same in line with said cutter.

16. In a tool as characterized, a compressing mechanism embodying a stationary table, a reciprocating hammer, and a plurality of levers each operatively connected with said hammer, and each lever having a cam shaft, said levers being operatively and mutually connected for movement simultaneously in opposite directions for operating said hammer.

17. A tool for uniting the ends of Wire straps each having at one end thereof an open helix, said helix providing an open passage therethrough for the opposite end of said strap, said tool comprising compressing means for flattening said helix; gripping means for holding said helix in position to be -flattened; cam shafts for operating said compressing means; tensioning means for drawing said wire through said helix; means for releasing said gripping means during the flattening of said helix; a plurality of manually operated levers each operatively connected with both of said cam shafts to operate the same, said levers being adapted for movement in opposite directions.

18. In a tool as characterized, a compression mechanism embodying a stationary table; a reciprocating member; cam shafts for operating said reciprocating member; and a plurality of manually operated levers each operatively connected with both of said cam shafts to operate the same, said levers being adapted for movement in opposite directions.

19. A tool for uniting the ends of Wire straps, each having at one end thereof an open helix, said helix providing an open passage therethrough for the opposite end of said strap, said tool comprising, means for gripping one end of the strap, means for pulling on the other end of the strap for tensioning the strap, means 'for crushing said helix while the strap is under tension for uniting the ends thereof, and means for releasing said gripping means.

20. A tool for uniting the ends of Wire straps, each having at one end thereof' an open helix, said helix providing an open passage therethrough for the opposite end of said strap, said tool comprising, means for gripping one end of the strap, means for pulling on the vother end of the strap for tensioning the strap, means for crushing said helix While the strap is under tension for uniting the ends thereof, means for releasing said gripping means, and means for severing said other1 end of the strap.

2l. A tool for uniting the ends of Wire straps, each having at one end thereof an open helix, said helix providing an open passage therethrough for the opposite end of said strap, said tool comprising, means for gripping one end of the strap, means forl pulling on vthe other end of the strap for tensioning the strap, means for crushing said helix While the strap is under tension for uniting the ends thereof3 and common actuating mechanism for the pulling and gripping means.

22. A tool for uniting the ends of Wire straps, each having at one end thereof an open helix, said helix providing an open passage therethrough for the opposite end of said strap, said tool comprising, means .for gripping one end of the strap, means for pulling on the other end of the strap for tensioning the strap, means for crushing said helix While the strap is unser tension for uniting the ends thereof, means for releasing said gripping means, and common actuating mechanism for the crushing and releasing means.

23.. A tool for uniting the ends of Wire straps, each having its one end thereof an open helix, said helix providing an open passage therethrough for the opposite end of said strap, said tool comprising, means for gripping one end of the strap, means for pulling on the other end of the strap for tensioning the strap, means for crushing said helix While the strap is under tension for uniting the ends thereof, means for releasing said gripping means, means for severing said other end of the strap, and common actuating mechanism for the crushing, severing and releasing means.

24. A tool for uniting the ends of Wire straps, each having at one end thereof an 25. In a tool as characterized, a compress 60 ing mechanism embodying a reciprocating` member, and a plurality of manually operated levers mounted to swing in opposite di rections, said levers being operatively connected With the reciprocating member and with each other, and the points of connec` tion of the levers with the reciprocating member being so located that each lever swings over the said point of connection of the other lever.

1WINFRED N. LURCOTT. 

